Once NASCAR's stormiest soul, Tony Stewart has settled into his new role as a driver-owner, and after finishing the regular season on top of the points, he's ready for all the bumps, bangs and battles of the 10-race finale

Jimmie Johnson is eyeing a historic four-peat, but he faces a field of former champs and proven race winners (including one very hungry, very fast old man). Here are five checkpoints to watch for as the most competitive Chase yet unfolds

Just Say Clay

The Red Sox' Josh Beckett and Jon Lester match up with any team's top two starters. Since midseason, however, the rest of Boston's rotation has been in flux. Daisuke Matsuzaka went on the DL in June with an ERA above 8.00. Tim Wakefield made the All-Star team, then got hurt too. Brad Penny and John Smoltz were released in August. Now, though, the Sox may have found a quality No. 3. Clay Buchholz (below) has come on strong since his July recall, with a 3.66 ERA in 12 starts and the best ground ball rate of his career. His command is improving as well: He's had 32 K's with just 14 walks in his last seven games, six of them quality starts. Buchholz is the final answer to the question: Who starts Game 3 of the Division Series?

Before he became the premier postseason performer of his generation, the Patriots icon was a middling college quarterback who invited skepticism, even scorn, from fans and his coaches. That was all—and that was everything